Holiday Shoppers on Delmarva Will Spend About the Same for 2014

Posted:
Wednesday, December 17, 2014 5:52 PM EST

SALISBURY, Md. (WBOC) - Christmas is just about a week away and many people are hurrying to finish their holiday shopping. With gas prices at a four year low, Americans have some extra cash to spend on presents if they wish. Many say despite the extra money, they're not budging on their budgets.

We asked our WBOC Viewer Information Panel how much they expected to spend this shopping center. Eight percent said they would spend more, 59 percent said they would spent about the same, 32 percent said they would spend less and one percent said they didn't know.

The parking lots were full at shopping centers in Salisbury Wednesday. Mark Harrison of Hebron was stopping at Target, one of many stops on his first day of holiday shopping. "I already went to the dollar store and Walmart. I'm just finishing up here, getting my sister some stuff and then I'll be done," said Harrison.

Many people were looking to put the finishing touches on their shopping lists.

"All I have left is the wrapping!," said Kristin of Salisbury.

Retail sales rose 0.7 percent nationally in November, thanks in part to some of the lowest gas prices in four years. A CBS poll suggests not everyone will use the money they're saving on extra gifts. In fact, just 26 percent said they would, while 70 percent said they would use that money to pay bills.

Shoppers on Delmarva mostly say their spending hasn't changed.

"Actually it was about the same as last year," said Kristin, "I try to stick to a pretty close budget."

"I would say my spending is about the same," said Glenda Mohrs of Crisfield. "According to my husband, I try to stick to a budget."

Others agree, more money in the wallet means more to spend.

"I may spend a little more because gas is down," said Valerie Hughes, "That makes a lot of difference when you travel."

It doesn't depend on what the gift is. "He bought me a mop with a bucket, 'as seen on TV'," laughed Hughes, referencing her husband. "You know, gotta treat her right," said her husband, Andrew Hughes.

The National Retail Federation is predicting a growth in sales for this year's holiday shopping season.

There's still time to snag some deals and have them under the tree. In Google's 2014 Holiday Shopper Intentions Research Report, the weekend of December 20-21 and December 23 are some of the biggest days for in-store shopping.

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